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Re: Report: Josh Smith Will Not Sign Extension With Hawks

Until he proves me wrong this season, I'd rather spend a more modest amount to keep David West, than spend an exorbitant amount to bring in Josh Smith.

Smith is the better player, he's younger, he's more athletic, and he'd probably be a better fit next to Hibbert, but I don't think his personality meshes with what they are trying to do. I also don't see it as a move that would put us into a tier, with the true contenders in the league, and thus not worth the investment.

David West may be proving me wrong. Josh Smith might not be the better player after all. West is getting better and better every game. I really hope this organization is willing to do what it takes to keep this guy. He is tougher than anybody we've had here since Peck's boy Double D.

Re: Report: Josh Smith Will Not Sign Extension With Hawks

David West may be proving me wrong. Josh Smith might not be the better player after all. West is getting better and better every game. I really hope this organization is willing to do what it takes to keep this guy. He is tougher than anybody we've had here since Peck's boy Double D.

I agree. He's awesome. You can't put a price on mental fortitude and double-team busting strength in the post.

Just have to make the right assessment as to how much gas he has left in the tank given his age.

If we could get him into a higher salary shorter term contract, that'd be ideal. Another contract of the same size and length?

Re: Report: Josh Smith Will Not Sign Extension With Hawks

The way he is playing now, he's a steal at $10 million per year. Unfortunately, he's already 32 years old, and he should be looking for more annual money, this summer. How much more, is the question.

I wouldn't mind a younger West(I was a fan of younger West) but at 32 I hope they don't re-sign him, I hope somebody else offers him some crazy money and gets stuck with that contract ala Elton Brand/Boozer, I don't think is he is worth as much as you think.

Re: Report: Josh Smith Will Not Sign Extension With Hawks

Sometimes I can agree with you and other times your statements just baffle me. Stop and think how old DWest will be the latter part of that 5 year contract. What's his health going to be? Just remember you were willing to sell the farm for Nene, and how did that work out for Denver? How's it working out for Washington? I'm not looking for WALSH to add anymore albatross contracts to the Pacers. Dunleavy and Murphy was more than I could stand for 4 years. I don'ty like Mahinmi or Green's guaranteed contracts. A 3 year deal is the most Walsh should even consider offering DWest. Bird got Dwest to sign for 2 years, but then Bird seems to have been a better negoiator than Walsh. Bird didn't make it a habit to get stupid overpaying to keep players.

How's EJ doing for the Hornets too? This isn't monopoly money. It's real money that can only go so far, and needs to be spent prudently and not foolishly.

Who is that player the Pacers need to make them a true competitor and how do you get that player w/o gutting the team or putting them in salarly hell? I truly don't know. It would make for an interseting thread, so someone should start a thread to discuss this very thing!

Re: Report: Josh Smith Will Not Sign Extension With Hawks

Sometimes I can agree with you and other times your statements just baffle me. Stop and think how old DWest will be the latter part of that 5 year contract. What's his health going to be? Just remember you were willing to sell the farm for Nene, and how did that work out for Denver? How's it working out for Washington? I'm not looking for WALSH to add anymore albatross contracts to the Pacers. Dunleavy and Murphy was more than I could stand for 4 years. I don'ty like Mahinmi or Green's guaranteed contracts. A 3 year deal is the most Walsh should even consider offering DWest. Bird got Dwest to sign for 2 years, but then Bird seems to have been a better negoiator than Walsh. Bird didn't make it a habit to get stupid overpaying to keep players.

How's EJ doing for the Hornets too? This isn't monopoly money. It's real money that can only go so far, and needs to be spent prudently and not foolishly.

Who is that player the Pacers need to make them a true competitor and how do you get that player w/o gutting the team or putting them in salarly hell? I truly don't know. It would make for an interseting thread, so someone should start a thread to discuss this very thing!

I was been sarcastic I don't want West back even for two or three years, there is not point in doing that.

Re: Report: Josh Smith Will Not Sign Extension With Hawks

If David continues to perform at the level he is now, I think we'll all be susprised at the money he'll be offered next year. The deciding factor may be the same as what brought him here in the first place. If the team continues to improves so he can play with a winner, and his family enjoys Indpls, he may give us a discount. If not, then money will probably be the deciding factor for him. 3 years, 35/40 million? Could we do it?

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Re: Report: Josh Smith Will Not Sign Extension With Hawks

The thing that messes me up when thinking about how much and how long that you should think about signing West for is this... Almost nothing he does is predicated on athleticism that you lose as you get into your mid 30s. It not speed or leaping ability. He'll actually get stronger, I think he already is much bigger stronger than a 26 year old version of himself. Then you have to price in injuries, but beside the knee, he doesn't miss games, at least not here. So, normally I'd be hesitant to want to do a longer term deal, but honestly I can almost talk myself into it. His toughness just epitomizes how this team is now. Its not just him, its George Hill and Danny, but this team would get punked routinely in its previous incarnations without him. Its not that way anymore. I think worse case he loses a step defensively and then you can work on getting your 'next' power foward and still give minutes to West at the center spot as he get slower, but again, probably stronger/bigger.

So ya, either way you fall on this one, I think you could turn out wrong.

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Re: Report: Josh Smith Will Not Sign Extension With Hawks

I was high on trading West as well. Now less so. There's value to be had but he provides several traits I think we lack that won't change with age--he's smart, he's tough, and he's a leader. Josh Smith provides none of these things. Not sure he would be a good alternative. Especially the smarts--not a lot of high bball IQ players in Indy. At points last night, he was literally directing the offense. He's a different type of "tough" guy.

Re: Report: Josh Smith Will Not Sign Extension With Hawks

The thing that messes me up when thinking about how much and how long that you should think about signing West for is this... Almost nothing he does is predicated on athleticism that you lose as you get into your mid 30s. It not speed or leaping ability. He'll actually get stronger, I think he already is much bigger stronger than a 26 year old version of himself. Then you have to price in injuries, but beside the knee, he doesn't miss games, at least not here. So, normally I'd be hesitant to want to do a longer term deal, but honestly I can almost talk myself into it. His toughness just epitomizes how this team is now. Its not just him, its George Hill and Danny, but this team would get punked routinely in its previous incarnations without him. Its not that way anymore. I think worse case he loses a step defensively and then you can work on getting your 'next' power foward and still give minutes to West at the center spot as he get slower, but again, probably stronger/bigger.

So ya, either way you fall on this one, I think you could turn out wrong.

Seth is right he is a B A M F, that goes a long way with me.

Well he has to play D on the other side, the older he gets the worse he is going to be, championship teams need players that can play in both side at a high level, now if the goal is not to go for a championship then by all means lets use all the cap space next year on him.